News Reporter
Islamabad: The first winter rain spell continued has turned the weather cold in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad compelling most of the people belonging to the low-income groups to visit flea markets for purchasing warm clothes.
Second-hand clothes once considered the most sold item at the beginning of the winter season have become out of reach for the low-income groups owing to the increasing prices of each and every commodity due to internationally induced inflation in the country.
A huge rush of people can be seen at the flea markets in the twin cities soon after the rain spell forecast by the weather experts for purchasing warm clothes, woollies, caps, socks, jackets, and hoodies for their children to save them from chilly weather effects. Rising inflation has impacted all sections of society by limiting their purchasing capacity but those belonging to the lower middle class and poor are suffering the most.
According to Akbar Ali, a buyer at a flea market in Rawalpindi who has four children, “The second-hand clothes, which we use to buy during every winter season for our children are now being sold on very high prices in flea markets and becoming out of our purchase range.” “Buying only a few clothes has spoiled my whole month’s budget to talk about the needs of those who are poor,” he said.
The online shopping websites selling the leftovers and imported clothes are also exploiting the customers by charging extra money, she said.
Nasir, a father of four children said,”Flea markets through providing a variety of imported clothes at economical prices is a great source of protecting the dignity of white collar strata in a society where wearing a good dress means a lot to get respect from others.”
